Collaborative project with Colne Community School

Haven Gateway Partnership in Harwich worked with Colne Community School on a combined art and photography approach to interpreting the operations of the port through art.

The aims of the project were:

• to work with the Haven Gateway project to raise the profile of industry in the Harwich peninsula
• to use the Harwich docks as a stimulus for art and photography
• to explore the potential of local industry for visual inspiration
• to involve art and photography students in a large scale project
• to gain publicity for the community activities of the Colne School/College

The students were briefed to spend the day looking for reference visual materials that could be used in their AS level examination theme ‘Manmade and Natural’ with particular reference to the dockyard environment. The project was to use the industrial environment as a stimulus for creative art.

The art and photography students spent the day at Harwich docks and were guided through the workings of the dockyard, paying particular attention to health and safety regulations. On-site work consisted of visual note making, sketching and taking reference photographs (digital). Students were not free to wonder at will, but were given access to areas not visited by the public. This allowed an awareness of the scale of the environment to be fully appreciated as they worked in the shadows of massive pieces of industrial machinery.

The result was a stunning variety of painted images that offer a unique interpretation of the industrial environment as a source for art. The paintings went on display at the departure lounge at Harwich, seen by thousands of passengers every week.

Richard Morton managed the project for Haven Gateway. Arranging access, risk assessments and safety measures on the day, including personal safety equipment and guides were routine matters for the port authority.

Gains for the port are considered to be:

• a more positive attitude among the students, their friends and family

• increased awareness of career opportunities among school leavers, with increased application rates

• a better image of the company among users and passengers.

Contact:

Richard Morton
Haven Gateway Partnership
Suites 3 & 5
The Centre
The Crescent
Colchester Business Park
Colchester
CO4 9QQ

T: 01206 848416
F: 01206 848419
M: 0776 9962554

E: richard.morton@haven-gateway.org

W: http://www.haven-gateway.org/